A significant flash flood in Arizona’s Grand Canyon led to the evacuation of numerous individuals and carried substantial rocks, metal structures, and other debris into the Colorado River, according to the U.S. National Park Service. The flood occurred at Bright Angel Creek, a tributary of the river, on Saturday afternoon and has raised concerns about 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for.
The rushing waters destroyed footbridges over the creek, causing significant changes to the landscape, such as widening the creek bed and forming what appears to be a new river rapid. Authorities are asking for information from anyone who may have details about individuals hiking or camping in the area.
The Grand Canyon’s dynamic nature was emphasized by Jack Schmidt, the director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. Due to the flood, popular tourist sites like Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail remained closed on Sunday as park officials assessed the damage. Rafting trips on the Colorado River have also been temporarily suspended.
Over 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch, a historic spot with canteens and dormitories frequently used by rafters. Additional evacuations were scheduled for Sunday, although no injuries have been reported so far.
Erica Viola, who was present at Bright Angel campground during the rainfall, described witnessing the creek rise and debris flowing past, including what appeared to be a bunkhouse. Approximately 1.2 to 2.5 centimeters of rain fell within 30 minutes in the rocky area, with most of it running off quickly, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff.
The flooding occurred on the north side of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River, covering a drop of around 1,830 meters. The possibility of further rain and thunderstorms in the region persists into Monday.